ArticleBMC health services research2026
Regional convergence and spatial dynamics of physician workforce distribution across regions in Türkiye (2008-2023).
Article in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
1 author.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundUnequal distribution of physicians remains a persistent challenge for health systems, particularly in countries with marked regional disparities. While increases in the overall physician workforce may improve aggregate service capacity, it is unclear whether such growth translates into balanced regional access to care. This study examines long-term regional dynamics in physician distribution in Türkiye to assess whether historically underserved regions have narrowed gaps in physician-related service capacity.
methodsA longitudinal ecological study was conducted using panel data from 26 regions in Türkiye over the period 2008–2023. Physician density (per 100,000 population) was used as a proxy for regional health service capacity. Convergence was assessed using two-way fixed effects models with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors. To address potential dynamic panel bias, a dynamic panel model was estimated as a robustness check. Spatial dependence and spillover effects were analysed using spatial econometric models. Dispersion trends were also examined over time.
resultsPhysician density increased substantially across all regions over the study period. The results indicate statistically significant convergence, suggesting that regions with initially lower physician density experienced relatively faster growth. However, convergence was incomplete, and substantial regional differences persisted. Economic capacity and health infrastructure were positively associated with physician availability, while spatial spillover effects were limited. Dispersion analysis confirmed a reduction in regional inequality over time, although regional heterogeneity remained.
conclusionPhysician supply in Türkiye has expanded and regional disparities have narrowed, but convergence has been partial and uneven. National workforce growth alone appears insufficient to eliminate persistent regional imbalances in service capacity. Policies that combine workforce expansion with targeted regional development and infrastructure investment may be necessary to achieve more equitable health service provision.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.